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Rev. Wright Tries to Explain Away Remarks

By Jim Rutenberg June 11, 2009 5:13 pmJune 11, 2009 5:13 pm

We’re sure that President Obama and his Jewish advisers will be happy to know that Mr. Obama’s former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., has “clarified” his remark to The Daily Press of Newport News this week — that he had not spoken to the president because “Them Jews aren’t going to let him talk to me.” This seemed to be a reference to the likes of Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff and David Axelrod, the senior presidential adviser.

But today, Mr. Wright said during an appearance on the Sirius/XM radio program “Make it Plain with Mark Thompson” that he “misspoke.” He said he was not talking about “all Jews.” Or, that he was only referring to “Zionists.’’ Or, that it all had to do with Israel’s history with the Palestinians. O.K., we give up. You can hear his answer for yourself.

In the original interview with the Daily Press, which caught up with him at a minister’s conference, Rev. Wright said “them Jews aren’t going to let him talk to me” after he was asked whether he had spoken with his former church follower, Mr. Obama. The newspaper, which wrote about the statement yesterday, has posted the audio from that exchange here:

So, he wasn’t talking about “all Jews” or ” Zionists” or whatever. He was just talking about “them”. That amorphous enemy who is to blame for all problems – personal and otherwise.

The leopard doesn’t change its spots, nor the tiger its stripes. Same goes for the bigots, of whatever political persuasion. Despite being a “man of the cloth”, the Rev. Wright debunks the notion that there is such a thing as redemption.

Well, of course Wright is a ranting buffoon; no news there. The only reason this counts as important is that it again raises the question again of why Barack Obama, or anyone with brains or self-respect for that matter, would spend as much as 20 minutes, let alone 20 years, listening to him. I still can’t quite see my way through that.

Does anyone honestly think that Obama spent 20 years anywhere near this bigot and had not one clue? I overlooked this originally…But if we are honest….here….

Let’s drop the left and right wing labels and just for a moment think about what we did by overlooking this association last November and let’s look at what we got (as opposed to what many of us thought we were getting). I did not for a second expect a Social Progressive was going to take our Republic to destruction.

Distrust…it is spread to the masses…by our leaders; the leaders being politicians, religious clergy, the media, political pundits, talk show hosts…even Hollywood celebrities…it is a world spinning out of control…hate is the Zeitgeist of our tme.

We are all alike…apart from our leaders.

It sounds simplistic…the masses of the world do not start wars or conflicts…it is the leaders that incite and arouse the people they claim to serve….they are really serving their own interset and personal goals.

The sixteen year old in Pakistan is no different than the sixteen year old in Oklahoma, USA…they have their lives in front of them…and they both want to survive.

I have to agree with Bob (2nd comment). It is very troubling to me that someone who appears to be so thoughtful considered this man to be a friend and mentor for many years. There will come a time when we will know more about the character flaws of our aloof leader.

Barack tossed Wright under the bus when he became inconvenient, but he has never abrogated his teachings.

Now we see the recrudescence of the father figure who inspired Barack’s second book, but Wright’s grotesque anti-semitism is getting little coverage.

Some in media do whatever it takes to prohibit discussion of Barack’s long-time spiritual director. E.g., the moderators of TruTV’s In Session message boards ban posters who mention Wright and his influence on Michelle and Barack.

Oh come on…Obama didn’t just distance himself from Wright–he repudiated what the guy was saying completely and unequivocally.

To those in this thread rolling out the whole, tired right wing meme that Obama sat in the church for 20 years and therefore has somehow endorsed everything the guy has said–let alone what the guy is babbling about now?

Please.

The videos of last year that had a very small slice of 20 years worth of sermons–in which Wright was–to be blunt–ranting–never showed Obama sitting in the congregation–let alone applauding.

I seriously doubt he was there.

From what I’ve read–the Obama’s are more observant–in terms of attending services–than W. ever was–but that doesn’t translate into attending every Sunday–or sitting paying rapt attention to everything the minister is saying.

In my youth, growing up in Raleigh, NC–my parents insisted on taking my sister and me to a Presbyterian Church–attendance that seemed to be largely driven by the fact that my mom and dad enjoyed listening to the minister’s Scottish accent. I personally despised having to get up, get into a suit and tie and sit still–until I learned that one of the benes of joining the choir was a post-sermon cherry tart for every member.

In all the years I sat there–the minister could have argued that up is down and the sun revolves around the earth–without my endorsement of his views.

GPH, it is your anonymous post that shows extreme lack of courage. You hide behind your keyboard while Rev. Wright has been in the frontlines of his profession and his community. Whatever comments you find offensive, it is only fair to acknowledge Rev. Wright’s contributions to his country and his community. The personal attacks against Rev. Wright didn’t have much affect last year, why do you think it’s going to work now.

Wright reflects Obama’s beliefs and the beliefs of all Obama supporters, not only about Jews, but about anyone they do not approve of, agree with or accept. That is why so many California Obama supporters joined the tyrannical majority lynch mob voting for Proposition Hate. Mob mentalities are nonpartisan, and will assassinate the rights of anyone they can.

I know exactly what you’re talking about. My folks were the same. Church attendance was mandatory, even if I sat there like a lump on a log. But, after awhile I too started focusing on a tart – but not the cherry variety. From that day forward, I had no idea what was coming from the pulpit.

Nothing excites the anti-Obama crowd like Reverend Wright. Were his remarks antisemitic? No Doubt. Is this the sum of the man? No.

For those who believe that Obama and the 8,500 other members of his congregation, the United Church of Christ, the numerous universities who have given him honorary degrees, the Clinton’s minister while they were in the White House, and the other denominations that have honored Wright either knew of, or approved of his recent interview, you need to examine your on critical faculties. It appears that both you and Rev. Wright need to think before you blunder into public discourse.

One day after the Holocaust Museum is vandalized – no terrorized. This is inappropriate. He can say it was taken out of context all he wants. I am so happy Pres. Obama has distanced himself from someone who clearly has anti-semitism bubbling underneath the surface and cannot step back and see what is happening in the world to know when to bite one’s tongue.

#17, John, I suppose if you consider the comments and behavior of a leftwing nutball like Wright to not be the “sum” of this man, then you also condone the comments and behavior of that equally nutty white supremist, who killed yesterday. right?

You’re wrong to imagine the “attacks” on “Rev.” Wright had no “affect”. (Do you mean “effect”?)

After his anti-American jeremiads about Truman’s decision to end the war with the atom bomb became public, outraging all who valued the million or so American lives saved by that action, Barack began distancing himself from his spiritual director by praising Truman, particularly in his speeches to Jewish groups.

Michelle/Barack sat at Wright’s feet for twenty years, eagerly embracing his historical revisionism.

Now that he has kept his promise to return to the public spotlight, maybe Barack/Michelle will fire the in-house faith czar and hire Jerry.

Don @ 9. Actually, it was a compliment. He handled the situation well. Almost teflonlike.

My recollection is Wright married the adult Obamas, baptized their kids, was mentioned in autobiography. The Obamas voluntarily attended his church as adults. Wright raised genuine concern about the overall Obama package, and of course the repdudiation could have been expediency. Obama came to office as a liberal, a northernor, attended a church where strange things were said, rejected material wealth for the odd occupation of community organizer (I’ve never met one.) and knew Bill Ayers, (A despicable domestic terrorist whose rich daddy got him off?) to some extent. I almost wanted Obama to lose because I so despise Ayers. But to summarize, he was a northern liberal with radical friends/acquaintances. The last northern liberal president was FDR. I didn’t care that Obama was black, but there was objective cause for conservative concern. And he is politically liberal, but hardly radical. Knowing little about him pre-election, it was hard to tell.

So why did he go to Wright’s church? Of course, I don’t know. Maybe to help with his work with the poor, maybe to find a piece of himself, maybe he felt radical at times, maybe Wright kept him awake. He’s not Wright, but the association could have been poisonous. And Obama did distance himself very effectively.

And then Rev. Wright said..blah…blah…blah. Who cares? Back to the dull knife in the drawer Sarah Palin. Once again using her kids to keep herself in the spot light. Sarah is like a moth that just has to stay in the light or she dies. She wonders why jokes are told about her and her family? Hmmm lets see. Pregnant unwed teenage daughter. Baby Daddy who is rude and crude and doing the talk show circuit. Hubby is a radical member of a seperatist political group. Sister in Law is a crack addict burglar. Thank God Sarah and the Wasilla Hillbillies are not in the White House with their circus soap opera. And … Letterman was obviously talking about Bristol not a 14 year old. And he did not say anything about rape. Was she raped last time she got pregnant. Get over it.

GPH, “vicious preacher’s disgusting ideas.” Really. Folks like you would never give Rev. Wright the time of day anyway, but that’s not the point. Obama sailed through that “moment” without any damage, some say it enhanced his image. Throw all the dirt you like, there’s not much else you can do. President Obama can and will do much to advance race relations in this country. With the help of those who want to reject bad, old habits and in spite of those who cannot let go of them.

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